Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
May 19, 2017

The following is being distributed at the request of the Research & Development Corporation:

Seeding the Next Generation of Research & Development Performers through Student Enrichment Awards

During the Research & Development Corporation�s Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards ceremony held last evening, May 18, 20 high school students from across the province received the prestigious award to attend summer research-related enrichment programs throughout North America.

Since 2011, the Research & Development Corporation has funded 91 RISE Awards for Newfoundland and Labrador high school students. The competitive process includes an assessment of academic achievement and written essays in which applicants must demonstrate an understanding of the importance of research and development to Newfoundland and Labrador.

RISE Awards, which range in value from $7,200 to $15,000, are given to students who demonstrate academic excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The successful student applicants will attend one of three research-related enrichment programs: the Research Science Institute located at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; the Boston Leadership Institute located in Wellesley, Massachusetts; or the Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program located at the University of Toronto.

Information on this year�s award recipients and enrichment programs is available in the backgrounder below.

Quotes
�By providing the province�s most achieving high school students with research-related enrichment opportunities, we are inspiring a culture of innovation amongst our youth and investing in the next generation of research and development leaders. Our government is pleased to support the RISE Awards, which continue to help build the foundation for long-term prosperity in Newfoundland and Labrador.�
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation and Minister Responsible for the Research & Development Corporation

�The RISE Awards are designed to expose students to the fascinating world of research and development. These awards allow our students to explore opportunities that further develop their interests in science, technology, engineering and math. I congratulate each of these bright young students on their selection for these prestigious awards and wish them all the best in their endeavours this summer.�
Mark Ploughman
Acting Chief Executive Officer, Research & Development Corporation

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Learn more
Research & Development Corporation - www.rdc.org external link

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Media contacts
Ashley Russell
Research & Development Corporation
709-758-0308, 730-4079
ashleyrussell@rdc.org

Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
(709) 729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

2017 Research Inspired Student Enrichment (RISE) Awards

Please see below the list of successful 2017 RISE Award student recipients:

Student NameHigh SchoolRecommended ProgramAward Amount
Katherine ButtCarbonear CollegiateDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Alexandra JanesPrince of Wales CollegiateDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Jasper RubinHoly Trinity High SchoolDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Hugh WarkentinCorner Brook Regional HighDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Emma LoderIndian River High SchoolDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Mather LangdonGander CollegiateDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Emily DaweHoly Heart of Mary High SchoolDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Melissa MooresHoly Trinity High SchoolDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Sudarshan BiswasHoly Heart of Mary High School Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Madison StrowbridgeJohn Burke High SchoolDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Jenna PowerHoly Heart of Mary High SchoolDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Jaxon MayoBaltimore SchoolDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Daniel BurkeWaterford Valley High SchoolDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Brianna MeadusCarbonear CollegiateDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Brooke BlanchardValmount AcademyDa Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program$7,200
Alison WalshWaterford Valley High SchoolBoston Leadership Institute$8,500
Justine YickPrince of Wales CollegiateBoston Leadership Institute$8,500
Luke MooresSt. Bonaventure�s CollegeBoston Leadership Institute$8,500
Henry O'Brien-La PrairieHoly Heart of Mary High SchoolBoston Leadership Institute$8,500
Oishi HawladerGonzaga High SchoolResearch Science Institute$15,000
Total$157,000

Enrichment programs supported by the Research & Development Corporation�s RISE Awards include:

  • Research Science Institute - a partnership between the Center for Excellence in Education, a not-for-profit organization based in McLean, Virginia, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). This institute offers a six-week summer enrichment program in the Boston, Massachusetts area, and emphasizes advanced theory and research in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. This program introduces students to the entire research process, from literature review to experimental design and analysis.


  • Da Vinci Engineering Enrichment Program - a four-week program held at the University of Toronto. This program offers pre-university engineering and science enrichment and research project design opportunities.


  • Boston Leadership Institute - a three-week program held in Wellesley, Massachusetts offering STEM research programs taught by top educators and researchers. Ranked among the top five summer science enrichment programs in the USA, this program provides students with an opportunity to develop high-level research skills and subject matter expertise through lectures, presentations and hands on experiments.

2017 05 19                              9:35 a.m.